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Julian is a mermaid
A tender picture book about a boy who loves mermaids, where the illustrations carry much of the emotional story and the family warmth does the rest.
What It's About
Julian Is a Mermaid is a picture book, so readers who found it under the Tech category should know it has nothing to do with technology. It follows a young boy who becomes captivated by mermaids after seeing women dressed as them on a subway ride. Julian starts to imagine himself in that world, and the book moves between his daydreams and the ordinary life he shares with the people who love him.
The style is quiet and warm. Jessica Love's illustrations do much of the storytelling, using soft color, expressive faces, and small domestic details that let a young child read the emotional arc with few words. The text is sparse, so the experience is short and shared: an adult reads aloud, and the pictures invite pauses, questions, and a second look.
Reading it feels less like a lesson than like watching a child be seen. The book takes Julian's wishes seriously without turning them into a debate, and its main pleasure lies in the art and the tenderness of its family scenes. Adults who come to it for the first time often notice more on a second reading than on the first.
Read this if you…
- want a picture book that handles identity and self-expression with warmth rather than instruction
- are a parent, teacher, or librarian looking for a read-aloud that opens conversation about being yourself
- appreciate illustration-led storytelling where the pictures say as much as the words
Skip it if you…
- want a plot-heavy story with a clear conflict and resolution for older readers
- are looking for a detailed or explicit discussion of gender identity for adults
Key Ideas
- 1
Imagination as a child's ordinary way of knowing
Julian's fascination is treated as a normal part of how children explore who they are. The book does not frame his love of mermaids as a problem to solve. It presents his dreams as sincere and worth taking seriously, which gives young readers a model for listening to their own enthusiasms.
- 2
Family support at the emotional center
The people around Julian are the story's real engine. Their response to his wishes shows what acceptance looks like in practice, through attention and small gestures rather than speeches. Readers looking for a family-centered picture book will find this the most affecting thread.
- 3
Illustration doing the heavy lifting
Much of the meaning sits in the pictures, in what Julian looks at, how people react, and how color shifts with his mood. Because the words are minimal, the art teaches children to read images closely, and it rewards adults who slow down to study each spread.
- 4
Acceptance shown, not argued
The book avoids lecturing its audience. It trusts readers to draw conclusions from what happens on the page, which makes it feel gentle rather than instructional. That restraint is part of why it has become a common choice for classrooms and family bookshelves.
Limitations
Some readers find the story slight, since it is short and its arc is simple. Its gentleness is also its strength but can feel too soft for those wanting a sharper or more challenging take on the subject. Because it is aimed at young children, adults may want to pair it with other books if they are looking for deeper discussion. The book is a snapshot of one child's experience, not a broad survey of the topics it touches, and it does not try to cover every family situation.
Questions Readers Ask
- Who is Julian Is a Mermaid best for?
- It suits young children, roughly preschool through early elementary, and the adults who read with them. It works especially well as a read-aloud because the pictures carry much of the meaning. Older readers may find it too brief on its own, but it can still be a useful starting point for conversations about self-expression and acceptance.
- Is it a good choice for a classroom or library storytime?
- Yes, it is widely used for this purpose. Its short length and clear emotional beats make it easy to read aloud to a group, and the illustrations give listeners plenty to notice. Teachers often use it to open discussions about being yourself and treating classmates kindly.
- Published
- 2018
- ISBN
- 9798855079265
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Category
- Tech
Book details and cover from Google Books.
Ready to read Julian is a mermaid?
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